The junior running back showed that Friday when he rushed for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 5 carries in the Stallions’ 41-0 victory over White Oak.

He also had 2 receptions for 42 yards, including a 35-yard scoring catch.

And because of his efforts, Winbush is The Daily News football player of the week.

“He made things happen,” Southwest coach Phil Padgett said. “He made the most of his carries, and he had a big night for us Friday.”

Because the Stallions (3-1), who host East Columbus (3-1) tonight, are so deep in the backfield, Winbush is only averaging 10 carries per game.

In the past Southwest has had the luxury of having one go-to back who carried the ball 15-20 times a game, but this year the Stallions have shared the pigskin, meaning everyone will receive limited touches.

That hasn’t seemed to slow down Winbush, who has 447 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns on 41 carries. Last year as a sophomore Winbush rushed for 1,052 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards per run.

“He is a pretty good athlete. He showed a glimpse of (what Winbush could do) last year, and this year he has been pretty consistent,” Padgett said. “He makes the most of his carries.”

But how the Winbush do that when everyone in the stadium knows Southwest’s game plan is to establish a strong running game?

“He has good field vision and our line blocked well for him,” Padgett said. “He’s can run over you, but he also has quickness and can run by you. He’s not the fastest guys on the football field, but he is one of the fastest.”

Winbush will likely have to run the ball well if the Stallions are to beat East Columbus, which defeated Southwest last year.

“For sure,” Padgett said.

Now for the panel

Sports page designer Mike Boaz remains the leader of The Daily News high school football forecasting panel after he went 8-0 last week to improve to 30-3.

Kinston Free Press managing editor Bryan Hanks is second at 29-4 after he went 8-0, followed by regional desk chief Richard Clark (6-2) and myself (7-1) at 26-7. WCTI-12 news anchor Brian North went 7-1 to move to 24-9 and sports editor Rick Scoppe went 6-2 to move to 23-10.

This week’s games

Croatan at Swansboro

Boaz boasts: Swans by 3

Clarkcites: Swans by 6

Hanks honks: Swans by 7

Miller mentions: Swans by 7

North notes: Swans by 1

Scoppe says: Swans by 7

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Washingtonat Jacksonville

Boaz boasts: JHS by 1

Clark cites: Washby 6

Hanks honks: Wash by 6

Miller mentions: Washby 3

North notes: JHS by 2

Scoppe says: JHS by 3

Havelockat White Oak

Boaz boasts: Have by 21

Clarkcites: Have by 30

Hanks honks: Have by 28

Miller mentions: Have by 25

North notes: Have by 35

Scoppe says: Have by 30

East Columbusat Southwest

Boaz boasts: SWO by 3

Clarkcites: EC by 2

Hanks honks: SWO by 20

Miller mentions: SWO by 8

North notes: SWO by 10

Scoppe says: SWO by 3

East Duplin at South Lenoir

Boaz boasts: ED by 14

Clarkcites: ED by 20

Hanks honks: ED by 35

Miller mentions: ED by 17

North notes: ED by 14

Scoppe says: ED by 14

Richlands at Clinton

Boaz boasts: Clintonby 6

Clarkcites: Rich by 1

Hanks honks: Clintonby 6

Miller mentions: Clintonby 3

North notes: Rich by 3

Scoppe says: Clintonby 7

Northside at Topsail

Boaz boasts: NS by 8

Clarkcites: NS by 10

Hanks honks: NS by 13

Miller mentions: NS by 13

North notes: NS by 8

Scoppe says: NS by 5

Lejeune at Rosewood

Boaz boasts: Rose by 3

Clarkcites: Rose by 3

Hanks honks: Rose by 1

Miller mentions: Rose by 7

North notes: Lejeune by 1

Scoppe says: Lejeune by 3

Dixonat North Duplin

Boaz boasts: ND by 6

Clark cites: Dixonby 2

Hanks honks: Dixonby 3

Miller mentions: ND by 3

North notes: ND by 2

Scoppe says: ND by 7

Prep sports writer Chris Miller can be contacted by email at chris.miller@jdnews.com or by calling 910-219-8472.